Tap Water Dream Comes True For 200 Hilltop Families In Odisha

Keonjhar: What is tap water? For most of us, it’s a thing taken for granted. But ask the 200 families living atop Malangtoli Hills in Keonjhar district and you will get a different answer.

Officials said the villagers of Pidhapokhri in Joda block had been suffering from acute scarcity of water for decades due to the area’s unique hydro-geological factors.

The administration used to supply water in tankers on top of the hill twice a day. But this was barely sufficient to meet the needs of villagers. Lack of water also affected several development projects.

But the scenario has changed. In an initiative by the Keonjhar administration supported by DMF, a “Household Piped Water Supply Project” for the village was sanctioned at a cost of Rs 2.63 crore in 2018.

Thabks to the project, people of Pidapokhari village today have assured supply of adequate and safe water at their doorsteps. They no longer have to wait all day for the water tankers anymore.

Officials explained that under the project, water sourced from a natural spring is lifted to a height of more than 300 feet using a 10 HP solar pump to an overhead tank. From there, it is supplied to households through individual tap connections, after filtration.

Construction of the drinking water infrastructure and laying of pipelines for this innovative project was a major challenge, due to the hilly terrain and difficult geography. However, the RWSS department overcame this and successfully completed the project due to meticulous planning and execution, officials said.

Even the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has hailed the district administration for its initiative. “As part of #Odisha’s endeavour to ensure piped water to rural households, @DistAdmKeonjhar  is providing #CleanWater to 200 families in Pidhapokhri village located atop the Malangtoli Hills in Joda. The project has been a life saver for the beneficiaries,” the CMO tweeted.